January 12, 2009

1938 Sexist Disney Rejection Letter

This has been all over the internet the past few days - so given my long history working for Disney and that my wife is a development executive at Disney it seemed almost an obligation that I should post it here.

I'm fairly certain that this letter is authentic--- however, even if it's not, the substance of it is. Back in Disney's Golden Era of animation Disney had only men as animators, the women were relegated to inking and painting the animation cels. And look at this stationary! Man, it's frickin' gorgeous!

I agree. At that time Disney wasn't alone in having a policy like this, lots of industry viewed women as just secretaries. It really wasn't until WWII that women were fully put into the workforce because they were sorely needed. Also, at this time, women had only had the right to vote for about 30 years.

Have you ever seen the original character description for Goofy written up as a guide for the Disney artists? In one line they describe Goofy as, "A good-natured n----r boy".

About Me

After having escaped from the Midwest I continue to lead an exciting Hollywood lifestyle... okay, not that exciting. I write for cartoons.
As for Live on Tape-- it's the old TV show I used to produce back in the Midwest. Yeah, I'm livin' in the past, so what?